VIDEO: Melina mesmerises as records tumble at Fazza Freediving Championship

Amir Naqvi, Sports Editor  

Famous in the world as a unique swimming competition, the much-anticipated 14th Fazza Championship for Freediving lived up to the billing after world records were smashed inside the pool.
The Polish, Omani and Kuwaiti divers produced stunning performances to make a splash at the Hamdan Sports Complex in Dubai on Saturday.

Organised by the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Centre (HHC), the Fazza Championship for Freediving is a heritage sport designed to embody the traditional ways of diving in the UAE and the Arabian Gulf.

Divers do not use any tools or underwater equipment but rely instead on traditional diving techniques used by early mariners in the region to stay under water.

Mesmerising Polish freediver Mateusz Jan Malina, who is also known as Matt to most in the freediving world, set another personal best en route to winning first place in the Professional Category of the competition.

In what could be termed as a breathtaking performance, Malina stayed underwater for 10 minutes and 10.15 seconds.

Malina, the most successful Polish freediver in history and the first to secure a world record, also bagged a prize purse of Dhs150,000 on offer.

Croatian national team member Veljano Zanki came in second place with a time of 9 minutes and 21.14 seconds, followed by his compatriot and five-time Fazza champion for Freediving, Goran Colak, who finished third at 9 mins, 18.34 seconds. Zanki and Colak received Dhs70,000 and Dhs30,000 cash prizes respectively.

Crediting his partner Ola for the succes, the love of his life, Malina said: “My latest victory in Dubai is a result of many years of hard work, dedication, countless sacrifices, and developing new techniques during training and competitions.”

The love between Ola and Malina blossomed during college days and is still going strong as they both are together for the past 12 years.

Besides being a partner, Ola also serves as coach to the Pole. “All of this wouldn’t be possible without the support of my partner Ola. She supports me during the preparations, and travels with me during the competitions,” said Malina, who has five world records and 31 Polish national records under his belly.

In the UAE and GCC Nationals category, Omani diver Ibrahim Al Sulaitni won first place and Dh150,000 after setting a new regional record of 7 minutes and 58.88 seconds.

Kuwaiti national Hassan Al Sharrah finished second with a time of 6 minutes, 20.27 seconds while Saudi diver Tariq Al Zuhairi came in third place with 5 minutes, 30.22 seconds. Sharrah and Zuhairi received Dh70,000 and Dh30,000 cash prizes respectively.

Sulaitni expressed his pride in setting a new Gulf region record and said he was encouraged by his friends to take part in the Fazza Championship for Freediving.

“I achieved success because of their generous support,” said Sulaitni, who dedicated his victory to his compatriots and colleagues.

The day became more memorable for the Sharrah family as later Hassan’s son Ali dominated the juniors category.

Ali, a 14-year old diver, registered a personal best in his first participation in the event. He timed 3 minutes and 44.65 seconds.

In second place was Emirati teen Suhail Hashem Al Marzouqi, who clocked in 3 minutes and 15 seconds, while Abdul Aziz Hussain Al Marzouqi finished third at 2 minutes and 57.99 seconds.

Ali said he was taught diving by his father who was a former GCC champion himself while Marzouqi said diving was in his blood as he came from a family of divers – most notably his Emirati grandfather who stayed in the diving profession even at the age of 90.

Hamad Ahmad Al Rahoumi, Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Fazza Diving Championships, said: “It was such a pleasure to see new records set this year.

“We witnessed another high level of performance during the event. The level of competition rises from year to year. The best athletes from all over the world are coming to compete here, which proves the significance of the Fazza Championship for Freediving,” he added.

Souad Ibrahim Darwish, HHC Director of Championships, expressed her happiness over the large participation of professional divers from around the world.

The Organising Committee has received a good number of participants from the UAE, GCC countries, most notably Oman, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, and from European countries Croatia, Serbia and Poland.

A total of 30 divers representing 12 countries competed in the final round.